Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator includes a main body cabinet having an inner casing formed with a storage chamber and an outer casing defining an external appearance of the inner casing. A door assembly is mounted on the main body cabinet, for opening and closing the storage chamber, and a rail assembly is provided between the main body cabinet and the door assembly, for moving the door assembly slidably relative to the main body cabinet. A support part is formed on the inner casing of the main body cabinet, for supporting the rail assembly. The rail assembly includes a guide rail coupled to the support part, and a slide rail coupled with the guide rail and the door assembly, being slidably moved relative to the guide rail. A connection part is provided on the support part, for maintaining or releasing a connection of the guide rail of the rail assembly with the support part.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 2005-0002599, filed on Jan. 11, 2005, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and, more particularly, to a refrigerator having a rail assembly which can be easily mounted on a storage chamber.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a refrigerator comprises a main body cabinet having a storage chamber formed with an opening part in which foods are stored, a door installed at the main body casing, opening and closing the opening part, and a freezing system supplying cool air to the storage chamber.

The freezing system may employ either a direct cooling mechanism or an indirect cooling mechanism. Under the direct cooling mechanism, an evaporator is mounted on an outer circumference of an internal casing, directly exchanging heat with the storage chamber, like a kimchi refrigerator, whereas, under the indirect cooling mechanism, cool air generated around the evaporator is forcibly blown into the storage chamber by means of a blowing fan, like a general refrigerator.

As disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-334652, a conventional kimchi refrigerator comprises a main body cabinet formed with a pair of storage chambers, a pair of drawer-type doors each provided slidably on each storage chamber, opening and closing each storage chamber, and a storage basket coupled with the drawer-type door, receiving therein a storage container and the like.

On inner wall faces of both sides of the storage chamber are mounted rail assemblies facing oppositely, enabling the storage basket to be slidably drawn in and out.

The drawer-type door is integrally coupled with the storage basket, in front of which a handle is provided so as to allow a user to hold it.

With this configuration, the user holds the handle and draws the drawer-type door slidably out of the storage chamber. At this time, the rail assemblies make it easy to move the drawer-type door slidably.

However, this conventional kimchi refrigerator has required that a worker first mount rail assemblies on inner wall faces of the storage chamber and then assemble the rail assemblies with the drawer-type door. Thus, it is difficult to mount the rail assemblies through the storage chamber which is narrow in space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a refrigerator in which rail assemblies can be easily mounted on a storage chamber.

Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are achieved by providing a refrigerator comprising: a main body cabinet having an inner casing formed with a storage chamber and an outer casing defining an external appearance of the inner casing; a door assembly mounted on the main body cabinet and which opens and closes the storage chamber; a rail assembly provided between the main body cabinet and the door assembly, for allowing the door assembly to move slidably relative to the main body cabinet; a support part formed on the inner casing of the main body cabinet and which supports the rail assembly, the rail assembly comprising a guide rail coupled to the support part, and a slide rail coupled with the guide rail and the door assembly and being slidably movable relative to the guide rail; and a connection part provided on the support part and which maintains or releases a connection of the guide rail of the rail assembly with the support part.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the connection part comprises a connection button for maintaining the connection of the guide rail with the support part, and a disconnection button for manipulating the connection button to disconnect the guide rail from the support part.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the connection button comprises a press part exposed externally from the support part, an extension part extended from the press part, passing through the guide rail, and an engagement piece formed on the extension part, being engaged with an inner side of the support part.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a spring member to press the connection button in the disconnection direction is provided inside the support part.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the disconnection button comprises a support piece supported by the inner side of the support part; and a manipulation part extended from the support part, being externally exposed from the support part and pressing the engagement piece to release an engagement of the engagement piece and the inner side of the support part.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a support bracket integrally coupled with the main body cabinet when the main body cabinet is foamed for molding, supporting the rail assembly, is mounted on the support part, and the connection part is provided on the support bracket.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the support bracket comprises a guide part into which the rail assembly is guided, and a connection mounting part formed on one area of the guide part, on which the connection part is mounted.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are achieved by providing a refrigerator having a main body cabinet including an inner casing in which a storage chamber is formed and an outer casing defining an external appearance thereof, being separated from the inner casing by a space for filling a foaming material, and a door assembly installed on the main body cabinet, for opening and closing the storage compartment, the refrigerator comprising a support bracket, one side of which is coupled with the inner casing, and the other side of which is supported by the foaming material; a rail assembly backwardly inserted into the support bracket to be connected with the support bracket, and allowing the door assembly to move slidably relative to the main body cabinet; and a connection part which maintains or releases a connection of the rail assembly with the support bracket.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the support bracket comprises a support projection supported by the inner casing owing to the foaming material.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the rail assembly comprises a guide rail coupled with the support bracket, and a slide rail coupled with the guide rail and being slidably movable.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the connection part comprises a connection button for maintaining a connection of the guide rail and the support bracket, and a disconnection button for operating the connection button to disconnect the guide rail from the support bracket.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the support bracket comprises a guide part into which the rail assembly is guided, and a connection mounting part formed on one area of the guide part, on which the connection part is mounted.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a support part supporting an upper part and a lower part of the support bracket is formed on the inner casing.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are achieved by providing a refrigerator having a main body cabinet including an inner casing in which a storage chamber is formed and an outer casing defining an external appearance thereof, being separated from the inner casing by a space for filling a foaming material, and a door assembly installed on the main body cabinet, for opening and closing the storage compartment, the refrigerator comprising a rail assembly coupled with the door assembly, slidably drawing in and out of the door assembly relative to the storage compartment; a support bracket coupled with the rail assembly and which supports the rail assembly; a support part formed on the inner casing and which supports an upper part and a lower part of the support bracket; a connection part which maintains and releases a connection of the rail assembly and the support bracket, the rail assembly being backwardly inserted into the support bracket.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the support bracket comprises a support projection supported by the inner casing owning to the foaming material.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the rail assembly comprises a guide rail coupled with the support bracket, and a slide rail coupled with the guide rail and being slidably movable.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the connection part comprises a connection button for maintaining a connection of the guide rail and the support bracket, and a disconnection button for operating the connection button to disconnect the guide rail from the support bracket.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the support bracket comprises a guide part into which the rail assembly is guided, and a connection mounting part formed on one area of the guide part, on which the connection part is mounted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a refrigerator consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the refrigerator whose rail assembly is coupled with a main body cabinet consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the rail assembly and a support bracket of the refrigerator consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a sectional view illustrating the connected rail assembly and the support bracket of the refrigerator consistent with the present invention, whose connection is maintained; and

FIG. 4B is a sectional view illustrating the disconnected rail assembly and the support bracket of the refrigerator consistent with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE, NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As depicted in FIGS. 1 through 3, a refrigerator 1 consistent with the present invention comprises a main body cabinet 10 forming a plurality of storage chambers therein, and a plurality of doors 20 through 23 installed on the main body cabinet 10, for opening and closing each storage chamber.

The main body cabinet 10 includes an inner casing 11 forming the plurality of storage chambers therein, and an outer casing 12 defining an external appearance thereof, in which a foaming material 15 is filled between the inner casing 11 and the outer casing 12.

The storage chambers are composed of a freezing compartment 8 in the left part and a refrigerating compartment 9 in the right part, which are partitioned by a main partition 13, and a first auxiliary storage compartment 17 and a second auxiliary storage compartment 18, which are vertically partitioned by an auxiliary partition 14.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the first auxiliary storage compartment 17 is an auxiliary refrigerating compartment performing a refrigerating function, to thereby store cold-storage foods therein. Here, the first auxiliary storage compartment 17 may be an auxiliary freezing compartment performing a freezing function, to thereby store frozen foods therein.

It is also preferable, but not necessary, that the second auxiliary storage compartment 18 is an auxiliary freezing compartment performing a freezing function, to thereby store frozen foods therein. On inner casings 11 of both sides of the second auxiliary storage compartment 18 are formed a pair of support parts 19 supporting rail assemblies 28 to be described later. Here, the second auxiliary storage compartment 18 may be an auxiliary refrigerating compartment performing a refrigerating function, to thereby store cold-storage foods therein.

The support part 19 is provided in a pair, being separated from each other. A support bracket 45 may be integrally combined when the main body cabinet 10 is molded with the forming material is installed between the pair of support parts 19. The support part 19 is shaped as if it encompasses an upper part and a lower part of the support bracket 45, to thereby prevent the support bracket 45 from sagging.

The support bracket 45 comprises a guide part 46 guiding the rail assemblies 28 in front and rear directions, and a connection mounting part 47 formed on one area of the guide part 46 (see FIG. 3), on which a connection part 35 to be described later is mounted. The support bracket 45 further comprises a support projection 38 which is extended from the guide part 46, passes through the inner casing 11 of the second auxiliary storage compartment 18, and is supported by the foaming material 15. Here, it is preferable that the support bracket 45 is coupled with the rail assemblies 28 and is strong enough to prevent the rail assemblies 28 from drooping because of the weight of a second door assembly 23.

The guide part 46 comprises an insertion part 49 which has a substantially

-shaped section, into which the rail assemblies 28 are inserted, an upper bent part 50 extended downward from an upper end of the insertion part 49, and a lower bent part 51 extended upward from a lower end of the insertion part 49. The upper bent part 50 and the lower bent part 51 can prevent the rail assemblies 28 from being detached from the insertion part 49 of the support bracket 45.

The door comprises a freezing compartment door 20 for opening and closing the freezing compartment 8, a refrigerating compartment door 21 for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment, a first door assembly 22 for opening and closing the first auxiliary storage compartment 17, and a second door assembly 23 for opening and closing the second auxiliary storage compartment 18.

The freezing compartment door 20 is rotated based on one side of the main body cabinet 10, thereby rotatably opening and closing the freezing compartment 8.

The refrigerating compartment door 21 is rotated based on the other side of the main body cabinet, thereby rotatably opening and closing the refrigerating compartment 9.

The first door assembly 22 is provided in a drawer-type fashion whereby it is slidably drawn in and out of the first auxiliary storage compartment 17, thereby opening and closing the first auxiliary storage compartment 17.

The second door assembly 23 is provided in a drawer-type fashion whereby it is slidably drawn in and out of the second auxiliary storage compartment 18, thereby opening and closing the second auxiliary storage compartment 18. Here, between the second door assembly 23 and the inner casing 11 of the second auxiliary storage compartment 18 are installed the rail assemblies 26 slidably moved relative to the second auxiliary storage compartment 18.

The second auxiliary door assembly 23 comprises a door panel 24 covering the front of the second auxiliary storage compartment 18, and a support frame 25 coupled to the rear face of the door panel 24, whereby a storage basket (not shown) is supported.

The support frame 25 comprises a pair of lateral frames 26 disposed separately on both sides of the door panel 24, with which the rail assemblies 28 to be described later are coupled, and a rear frame 27 interconnecting a rear end of each lateral frame 26.

Each of the rail assemblies 28 comprises a guide rail 29 coupled with each lateral frame 26, being inserted into the insertion part 49 of the support bracket 45, and a slide rail 30 coupled with the guide rail 29 and the second door assembly 23, slidably moved relative to the guide rail 29. At this time, the rail assembly 28 is mounted after being coupled with the second door assembly and inserted into the support bracket 45 from the front.

The slide rail 30 comprises a first slide rail 31 slidably moved relative to the guide rail 29, and a second slide rail 32 coupled with the second door assembly 23, being slidably moved relative to the first slide rail 31. Accordingly, when the second door assembly 23 is drawn out of the second auxiliary storage compartment 18, the first slide rail 31 is moved forwardly along the guide rail 29, and the second slide rail 32 can be moved along the first slide rail 31. It is preferable but not necessary that a ball bearing (not shown) is coupled between the guide rail 29 and the first slide rail 31, so as to allow them to contact with each other by rolling. Also, it is preferable but not necessary that a ball bearing (not shown) is coupled between the first slide rail 31 and the second slide rail 32, so as to allow them to contact with each other by rolling.

The refrigerator 1 further comprises a connection part 35 provided on the support bracket 45, connecting the guide rail 29 to the support bracket 45 or disconnecting the guide rail 29 from the support bracket 45.

The connection part 35 comprises a connection button 36 mounted on the connection mounting part 47 maintaining a connection of the guide rail 29 and the support bracket 45, and a disconnection button 37 operating the connection button 36 to disconnect the guide rail 29 from the support bracket 45. Accordingly, a worker can assemble the rail assembly 28 to the support bracket 45 or disassemble the rail assembly 28 from the support bracket 45, by manipulating the connection part 35, without difficulty.

The connection mounting part 47 may be disposed on the upper front of the guide part 46 of the support bracket 45. Thus, the worker may manipulate the connection part 35 from the front of the second auxiliary storage compartment 18 without difficulty. It is preferable but not necessary that the connection mounting part 47 and the guide part 46 are formed as a single body.

With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the connection button 36 comprises a press part 38 externally exposed from the connection mounting part 47, an extension part 39 extended downward from the press part 38, passing through the guide rail 29, and an engagement piece 40 formed on the extension part 39, being engaged with the inner side of the connection mounting part 47. On the inner side of the connection mounting part 47 is formed a stopper 52 supporting the engagement piece 40 so as to maintain the connection button 36 as pressed. A spring member 60 to press the connection button 36 in the disconnection direction may be mounted inside the connection mounting part 47.

The press part 38 is exposed through a passing hole 47a formed on the top face of the connection mounting part 47 so as to allow the user to press it.

The extension part 39 is narrower in width than the press part 38. Accordingly, passing holes 47b and 29b are formed on the bottom face of the connection mounting part 47 and the guide rail 29, through which the extension part 39 passes when the press part 38 is pressed.

The engagement piece 40 is upwardly inclined from both sides of the extension part 39. Here, the guide rail 29 is disconnected from the support bracket 45 when the engagement piece 40 contacts the inner top face of the connection mounting part 47 (see FIG. 4B), and the connection of the guide rail 29 with the support bracket 45 is maintained when the engagement piece 40 is engaged with the stopper 52 (see FIG. 4A). It is preferred that the engagement piece 40 is formed with an elastic material, thereby elastically interacting with the stopper 52.

The disconnection button 37 comprises a support piece 41 supported by the inner side of the connection mounting part 47, and a manipulation part 42 extended from the support piece 41 and externally exposed from the connection mounting part 47.

The support piece 41 is supported by a rib 53 formed on the bottom face of the connection mounting part 47.

The manipulation part 42 is exposed through a passing hole 47c formed on the lateral side of the connection mounting part 47 so as to allow the user to press it. Here, the stopper 52 is extended inwardly from the passing hole 47c of the connection mounting part 47. Accordingly, if the manipulation part 42 is pressed when the engagement piece 40 is stopped by the stopper 52, it is interlocked with the manipulation part 42, thereby allowing the engagement piece 40 to be disconnected from the stopper 52.

The spring member 60 is disposed in the lower side of the engagement piece 40, pressing the connection button 36 upwardly. Accordingly, when the user presses the disconnection button 37, the connection button 36 may be moved to the disconnection direction owing to the elasticity of the spring member 60.

With this configuration, assembling and disassembling of the rail assembly 28 of the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention to and from the inner casing 11 of the second auxiliary storage compartment 18 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

A worker couples the second slide rail 32 with the lateral frame 26 of the second door assembly 23 by means of screws (not shown), to couple the second door assembly with the rail assembly 28. Then, the worker inserts the rail assembly 28 into the support bracket 45 mounted on the second auxiliary storage compartment 18. After finishing the insertion of the guide rail 29 of the rail assembly 28 into the support bracket 45, the worker presses the connection button 36 to thereby maintain the connection of the guide rail 29 and the support bracket 45. At this time, the extension part 39 of the connection button 36 passes through the respective passing holes 47 b and 29 b of the support bracket 45 and the guide rail 29, and the engagement piece 40 is engaged with the stopper 52, whereby the movement of the guide rail 29 relative to the support bracket 45 is stopped.

To disconnect the second door assembly 23 from the second auxiliary storage compartment 18, the worker presses the disconnection button 37, thereby releasing the connection of the guide rail 29 and the support bracket 35. At this time, as the engagement piece 40 is disconnected from the stopper 52 by the disconnection button 37 being pressed, the connection button 36 is moved upwardly due to the elasticity of the spring member 60. Accordingly, the guide rail 29 can be moved slidably relative to the support bracket 45, thereby enabling the second door assembly 23 to be drawn out forwardly.

With this configuration, the rail assembly can be mounted on the storage chamber without difficulty.

In the exemplary embodiment described above, a connection of the support bracket and the rail assemblies is maintained or released by the connection part provided in button-type. However, the connection part may be provided in screws, and the connection part is not limited in type.

In the exemplary embodiment described above, the support bracket and the rail assemblies are connected or disconnected by the connection part, but the support part and the rail assemblies may be so provided so as to be interconnected when the rail assembly is directly connected to the support part, without mounting the support bracket. In this case, connection of the rail assembly to the support part may be maintained or released by a connection part provided on the support part.

In the above-described exemplary embodiment, the connection button is pressed by use of the elasticity of the spring member, but the connection button may be inherently made by using a material such as rubber.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described with only reference to the second auxiliary storage compartment and the second door assembly, but the same description can be made with reference to the first auxiliary storage compartment and the first door assembly.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to a refrigerator having a plurality of storage compartments, but the same description can be made with reference to a refrigerator having a single storage compartment.

In the exemplary embodiment described above, the first auxiliary storage compartment and the second auxiliary storage compartment have been provided as an auxiliary refrigerating compartment and an auxiliary freezing compartment, but they may be provided as vegetable compartments in which the storage temperature of vegetables or fruits cam be maintained, and they may be embodied in various ways, without limitation.

As described above, according to the present invention, a refrigerator capable of easily mounting a rail assembly on the storage chamber is provided.

The present invention has been described with reference to a refrigerator as an example, but it can be applied to all the products including a kimchi refrigerator, which have a drawer-type door.

Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A refrigerator comprising: a main body cabinet having an inner casing formed with a storage chamber and an outer casing defining an external appearance of the inner casing; a door assembly mounted on the main body cabinet and which opens and closes the storage chamber; a rail assembly provided between the main body cabinet and the door assembly, for allowing the door assembly to move slidably relative to the main body cabinet; a support part formed on the inner casing of the main body cabinet and which supports the rail assembly, the rail assembly comprising a guide rail coupled to the support part, and a slide rail coupled with the guide rail and the door assembly and being slidably movable relative to the guide rail; and a connection part provided on the support part and which maintains or releases a connection of the guide rail of the rail assembly with the support part.
 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the connection part comprises a connection button for maintaining the connection of the guide rail with the support part, and a disconnection button for manipulating the connection button to disconnect the guide rail from the support part.
 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the connection button comprises a press part exposed externally from the support part, an extension part extended from the press part, passing through the guide rail, and an engagement piece formed on the extension part, being engaged with an inner side of the support part.
 4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein a spring member to press the connection button in the disconnection direction is provided inside the support part.
 5. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the disconnection button comprises: a support piece supported by the inner side of the support part; and a manipulation part extended from the support part, being externally exposed from the support part and pressing the engagement piece to release an engagement of the engagement piece and the inner side of the support part.
 6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a support bracket integrally coupled with the main body cabinet when the main body cabinet is foamed for molding, supporting the rail assembly, is mounted on the support part, and the connection part is provided on the support bracket.
 7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the support bracket comprises a guide part into which the rail assembly is guided, and a connection mounting part formed on one area of the guide part, on which the connection part is mounted.
 8. A refrigerator having a main body cabinet including an inner casing in which a storage chamber is formed and an outer casing defining an external appearance thereof, being separated from the inner casing by a space for filling a foaming material, and a door assembly installed on the main body cabinet, for opening and closing the storage compartment, the refrigerator comprising: a support bracket, one side of which is coupled with the inner casing, and the other side of which is supported by the foaming material; a rail assembly backwardly inserted into the support bracket to be connected with the support bracket, and allowing the door assembly to move slidably relative to the main body cabinet; and a connection part which maintains or releases a connection of the rail assembly with the support bracket.
 9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the support bracket comprises a support projection supported by the inner casing owing to the foaming material.
 10. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the rail assembly comprises a guide rail coupled with the support bracket, and a slide rail coupled with the guide rail and being slidably movable.
 11. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the connection part comprises a connection button for maintaining a connection of the guide rail and the support bracket, and a disconnection button for operating the connection button to disconnect the guide rail from the support bracket.
 12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the support bracket comprises a guide part into which the rail assembly is guided, and a connection mounting part formed on one area of the guide part, on which the connection part is mounted.
 13. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein a support part supporting an upper part and a lower part of the support bracket is formed on the inner casing.
 14. A refrigerator having a main body cabinet including an inner casing in which a storage chamber is formed and an outer casing defining an external appearance thereof, being separated from the inner casing by a space for filling a foaming material, and a door assembly installed on the main body cabinet, for opening and closing the storage compartment, the refrigerator comprising: a rail assembly coupled with the door assembly, slidably drawing in and out of the door assembly relative to the storage compartment; a support bracket coupled with the rail assembly and which supports the rail assembly; a support part formed on the inner casing and which supports an upper part and a lower part of the support bracket; and a connection part which maintains and releases a connection of the rail assembly and the support bracket, the rail assembly being backwardly inserted into the support bracket.
 15. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the support bracket comprises a support projection supported by the inner casing owning to the foaming material.
 16. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the rail assembly comprises a guide rail coupled with the support bracket, and a slide rail coupled with the guide rail and being slidably movable.
 17. The refrigerator according to claim 16, wherein the connection part comprises a connection button for maintaining a connection of the guide rail and the support bracket, and a disconnection button for operating the connection button to disconnect the guide rail from the support bracket.
 18. The refrigerator according to claim 17, wherein the support bracket comprises a guide part into which the rail assembly is guided, and a connection mounting part formed on one area of the guide part, on which the connection part is mounted. 